New art of dating

Thursday 22 April 2004 23:00 BST

We have had speed dating, text dating, mass dating at Britain's biggest-ever singles party - even dating in the pitch dark. But now there's a new way for unattached Londoners to meet that is less frenetic, less cheesy, and altogether more appealing to those of a refined disposition.

The very first singles night at the Hayward Gallery offered a potent mix of art, intimacy and alcohol to those seeking a like-minded, high-minded soulmate. How nice to view Roy Lichtenstein's paintings as the spring sun sinks into the Thames, with only fellow singletons for company. And how nice to exchange comments with a new friend over a glass of wine about Pop Art's use of pulp-romance imagery, rather than parrying chat-up lines or comparing star signs.

Around 90 young, free and relatively hopeful souls turned up for the pioneering event, organised by dating company art2heart, on the South Bank last night. It should have been 100 but, as art2heart's founder Ranjit Majumdar explained, "some of the men inevitably failed to show" even though they had paid a £29 fee.

The price, as well as the aesthetic focus, attracted the relatively affluent, educated and eligible. Conversations between and within the sexes started up easily as the throng gathered on the Hayward's terrace, tongues loosened by wine and the sudden warmth of the evening.

"It's a bit like a cocktail party," said Charlotte Aldiss, a 37-year-old events researcher from Holland Park.

She and her friend, 35-year-old events organiser Peta Thorniley were dressed up to the nines. In terms of presentation as well as attendance, the women made far more effort than the men.

Jabe Wilson, a 33-year-old publishing technical manager in jeans and t-shirt, said the event reminded him of a movie scene in which Woody Allen chatted up a suicidal girl in an art gallery. Clearly, he was not expecting too much from the evening. He was not alone - at least not in this respect. "The hope is not to go home with someone, just to meet people and have an enjoyable evening," said Jane, a 30-year-old lawyer who declined to give her full name. She, like many there, claimed to have never attended a singles night before.

After an hour of garrulous but not overly flirtatious chat, the crowd moved into the exhibition. There was loud discussion of Lichtenstein's gaudy, cartoonish works, even raucous laughter - rare sounds in an art gallery. Couples coalesced and broke apart, animated groups formed and dissolved. It was, it seems, a liberating experience for all.

"I've talked to lots of nice people," said Christine, another lawyer. "If you're single and you like going to galleries, this sort of event is a great idea, even if you don't expect to meet anyone special."

Hayward director Susan Ferleger Brades said: "If you find a couple who fall in love, let me know, and we'll get a wedding licence." But there was little chance of that. The beautiful Japanese girl who produced a bouquet turned out to be a horticulturalist taking her work home.

"I've had a great time, and some great career advice, but no romance," said Charlotte Aldiss, as she surveyed the dwindling crowd.

"It was terrific to feel that you could just talk to people without appearing pushy, and to have girls come and talk to you," said Piers, a documentary-maker from Birmingham.

"But I still wouldn't feel confident of asking someone for a date after this one meeting. Perhaps if I bumped into them again."

Here he is in luck. Everyone who attended the Hayward event will be invited to art2heart's next cultural evening. It seems middle-class dating, like good art, is not about instant gratification. It's about slow, thoughtful appreciation.